JAMES GODDARD FORMENTERA

GET SWIMMING LESSONS FROM BRITAIN’S BEST ON ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST SPECTACULAR, AWARD-WINNING BEACHES ... NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SWIM VACATION.

Soak up some late season sun and improve your swimming in Formentera, just a short boat ride from Ibiza. If you would like to improve your technique and learn some open water skills, then this swimming holiday will suit you. On this tour we will be joined by Olympian and Commonwealth Gold Medallist James Goddard, who will closely monitor you, and help you to improve your swimming technique. This tour will combine morning technique sessions in the pool and the sea, with an opportunity to put your new skills into practice with bay and coastal swimming in the afternoons. The week is suitable for swimmers of all abilities. If you have not yet done so, please do speak to a member of SwimQuest staff about what you are hoping to get out of the week so that we can ensure the week is carefully structured to suit your needs. We should emphasise that this week is about refining your technique, not completing huge distances at speed.

ABOUT JAMES GODDARD

We are delighted to welcome three-time Olympic swimmer and three-time Commonwealth Champion James Goddard to the SwimQuest team. James represented Great Britain in the Olympics, FINA world championships and European championships, and swam for England in the Commonwealth Games.

ABOUT FORMENTERA

Formentera is a small Balearic island just off Ibiza, and home to some of our Technique and Improve weeks. It is well known for its dazzlingly crystal clear waters and long stretches of beach, backed by dunes and pine trees. The island has definitely escaped Ibiza-style development, and instead retains a laid-back, tranquil place. John Coningham-Rolls has a long-standing history with Formentera: his grandparents owned a villa (Can Rolls) in the 50s, and since then John, and now SwimQuest, have maintained a relationship with the island.

Formentera has a magnetic pull for so many of our guests, who return year after year for the ice white sand and and turquoise blue sea. The clarity of the water in Formentera is largely due to the Posidonia sea grass that grows on the sea floor. These under-sea meadows were one of the main reasons Formentera and Ibiza achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Price £1,120 based a twin share room (see accommodation tab for single supplements and upgrades)

Water temperature: pool – heated / sea – 18-20oC

Daily swimming distance: a 1-3km afternoon swim with technique sessions in the morning (please note this location is flexible and swims will be tailored to the needs of individuals in the group)

Group size – up to 12 guests

Age range – 16+ (for family enquiries, please contact the office)

Swimming ability: All abilities welcome

Are non-swimmers welcome? Absolutely – non-swimmers are welcome to join the tour and enjoy beautiful Formentera.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation at the 4* Roca Bella hotel on the beach of Es Pujols (see accommodation tab for details)

Jam-packed swimming itinerary

SwimQuest guide and Olympic SwimQuest Guest coach James Goddard

Swim coaching and video analysis from Olympic guest coach James Goddard, along with daily technique sessions

Breakfasts

Lunches

Transport to and from swim locations on the island

Transfers from Formentera harbour to Roca Bella

SwimQuest dry bag and swim cap

VAT

WHATS NOT INCLUDED?

Travel to and from Formentera harbour (guests are advised to fly into Ibiza, take a short taxi ride to Ibiza harbour and board one of the half hourly boats to Formentera - we will pick you up from Formentera harbour).

Wetsuits and fins (optional)

Evening meals

Alcohol

Single room supplement (see accommodation tab for details)

HOTEL ROCA BELLA

On this tour, you will stay in the friendly Hotel Roca Bella, situated on the beach of Es Pujols, moments away from crystal waters and Pujols town. Rooms are based on a twin share basis. If you wish, you can choose sole occupancy, subject to availability.

standard twin room (SHARING PLACE)

£1,120pp - standard rooms are simple but comfortable. They all have a terrace and sea view. There is the possibility to rent a fridge or to add a cot (to pay directly at the reception).

STANDARD TWIN ROOM (SOLE OCCUPANCY)

£250 supplement- if you would like your own private standard room, a sole occupancy supplement of £250 will be added to your booking.

SUPERIOR ROOM UPGRADE

£200 supplement - upgrade your booking to a superior room for an extra £200 (Please note this applies to sole occupancy places or double shares only - these rooms do not offer a twin share set up). Superior Rooms are located in the newer building of the hotel and are recently renovated. All have a terrace with a sea view.

THE ITINERARY

There are two planned swims per day based on how you progress during the week. Most days will include a morning technique session (either pool or sea based, depending on conditions) a swim seminar or video feedback session, followed by a fun afternoon swim in a bay or along the coast. Please realise that the below is a very rough guide and that we will adapt the week carefully for each individual. Swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you, but in all cases the main objective will be to encourage you to achieve your personal goals. You’re likely to surprise yourself!

SATURDAY ACCLIMATISATION SWIM

We will meet in the late afternoon for the mandatory safety briefing. Topics covered include: swimming safely in open water, swim preparation, swim routes, prevailing weather, and safety procedures. We will then complete a short acclimatisation swim in a shallow bay by the hotel. This allows James and the swim guides to assess your stroke and start preparing an individual plan for you for the week. Following this we will relax and have dinner, with time to discuss the week ahead. (If for any reason guests are unavoidably delayed, the briefing may be deferred to Sunday morning.)

SUNDAY: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNIQUE, FILMING, AND A BAY SWIM

The day is designed to be easy, allowing you to settle in after your journey. During the first swim session the guides will film your stroke above and below the water. After lunch, James will give a land-based talk on swim technique, and you will be given points to focus on for the afternoon session. After dinner, we will watch the swim footage and each guest will be given detailed feedback to take through into Monday’s session.

MONDAY: THE OPEN WATER DIFFERENCE

This morning we will head to the award-winning carribean-white Playa de Illetes beach to put new skills into practice. Depending on your aims, you will be given drills and new skills to try out. After lunch, the focus will be on open water swimming: you will learn about sighting, waves and working with the water, before heading back into the sea.

TUESDAY: POOL SESSION & RELAXED OPEN WATER SWIM

After breakfast we will make our way to the pool for a structured swim technique session. This is a great opportunity for James to monitor your progress up close and give you personalised skills to work on for the afternoon session and to take away and practice at home. After lunch, we will complete a relaxed open water swim allowing you to stretch out and enjoy your new skills.

WEDNESDAY: UPPING THE DISTANCE

There will be optional one-to-one technique sessions with James before breakfast. After breakfast, we will travel by car to a local bay, and depending on the weather, will attempt a slightly longer continuous swim. In the afternoon there will be another land based technique session.

THURSDAY: INTO THE DEEP!

This is your last full day of swimming with two great sea swims. The morning swim is a coastal swim along the peninsula. With amazing shallow beaches along the way, it is the perfect way to stretch out and enjoy your new stroke. In the afternoon we will walk to Punta Prima and use the swim zone, but this time we will head out of the bay and swim back to the beach by the accommodation. The swim is a great way to see the coastline and some underwater sea life. Once back, there will be time to relax and then we will go into town for our last dinner together.

FRIDAY SWIM AM: SHORT BAY SWIM

As this is the last day, there will be a short pre-breakfast bay swim as you will need to pack and prepare for your ferry back to Ibiza.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

In addition to your usual packing list, here are some items you may wish to consider:

At least 2 x swimming costumes

Wetsuit (optional)

Swim fins (optional) – can be useful for additional speed and for technique drills

2 x pairs of swim goggles – one clear and one tinted if possible

Towel(s)

Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (although you will receive a SwimQuest 10L dry bag)

Sandals/aqua shoes/flipflops – for getting wet

Comfortable walking shoes

Insect repellent

Fleece or warm jumper for evenings

Sun hat, sun cream and glasses

A waterproof watch (optional)

Travel insurance details

TRAVEL TO FORMENTERA

FLY TO IBIZA

Fly to Ibiza and then jump in a taxi from the airport to Ibiza harbour to get the ferry to Formentera (please budget approx. €15-20 for this taxi journey.) Taxis are regular just outside the airport. Tell the taxi driver you are going to get a ferry to Formentera and he / she will drop you off by the Formentera ticket kiosks. For the cheapest flight options, have a look at www.skyscanner.co.uk. If you would prefer to arrive a day early, we would recommend the cheap but friendly and comfortable Hotel del Puerto in Ibiza town, close to the ferry port.

FERRY FROM IBIZA TO FORMENTERA

There are a number of ferry companies offering a regular service (approx. every 30 minutes) from Ibiza to Formentera and back. Trasmappi, Balearia and Mediterranea–Pitiusa are popular options, cost the same and take the same amount of time (approx. 30 minute crossing). There is no need to buy a ticket in advance. Hint – when you buy a return ticket, it is worth checking that your return ferry journey allows you sufficient time to get to the airport, as you cannot transfer your ticket to another ferry provider and will have to purchase an additional single fare.

AN EXTRA NIGHT IN IBIZA TOWN?

RECOMMENDED IN IBIZA TOWN:

Hotel Apartamentos el Puerto in Ibiza town is friendly and comfortable, and just a 2 minute walk from the ferry port should you need to arrive a day early / leave a day later. Please feel free to book a room through Lourdes in their reservations team. Tell them you are bookng through SwimQuest and you can claim a 10% discount.

HOTEL CONTACT:

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you in Formentera. To book your trip, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlotte (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements.

A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 8 weeks prior to departure for this trip. Payments can be made by debit / credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.

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SwimQuest is a proud member of the Travel Trust Association, the only travel network in the UK to guarantee 100% financial protection to the consumer, ensuring total consumer confidence.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your Swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.

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SWIMQUEST IN BRIEF

SwimQuest specialise in open water swimming holidays and swim vacations, for all abilities, in locations worldwide. Exceptional service, unrivalled experience, incredible places. Choose from relaxing breaks, swimming holidays for beginners or challenge yourself on one of our swim training holidays.